Welcome to our home of adventure

Welcome to our home of adventure

Sarawak, where adventure lives

If adventure had a home, it would be the vast wilderness. Grand, green, awesome! Like no other place on earth. If adventure had a home, it would be filled with the friendliest people on earth. People of different races, religions and cultures. If adventure had a home, it would be here when one arrives as a guest and leaves as family. If adventure had a home, its home would be Sarawak. Come and explore our vast wild home of adventure. Sarawak, where adventure lives.

Our Doorway

Sarawak's Gateway Cities

Welcome to the land of the hornbills! Sarawak is located on the island of Borneo, the third largest island in the world, north of the Equator. With its beautiful blue skies and tropical breezes you can bathe in the sandy beaches and palm-fringed state of Sarawak. Tropical showers cool the land with heavier rainfalls during the monsoon months from November to March. We hope you enjoy your stay in our vast wild home.

Our People, Mural & Mother Tongue

Meet The Locals

Most of the people of Sarawak are sedentary farmers who live in communal longhouses and practice swidden rice agriculture. This state has the most diverse ethnic groups with a very distinct culture, language and lifestyle. A variety of religion with 45 different languages and dialects runs this town. In spite of these differences, the locals epitomise peace, harmony and unity.

Iban, Melanau, Penan, Malay, Chinese, Orang Ulu, Bidayuh

Iban claims the largest population, thus making its language the most widely used in Sarawak. Chinese society comes in second. Although Sarawak is part of Malaysia, the Malay population only falls in third. The Orang Ulu is well known for their intricate beadwork and detailed tattoos. Bidayuh people are famous for their hospitality and warm smiles.

The Melanau are fearless sailors and skilled fishermen while the Penan, on the other hand, are shy and elusive.
The Penans are the last true nomadic people of Sarawak.

Beadworks

The Orang Ulu ladies are the artisans of this fine craft. They make ceramic beads for their traditional costumes as well as for trading.

Pottery

The Chinese are much sought after for their porcelain wares around the world. Family-run pottery kilns produce beautiful and uniquely handcrafted decorative and functional earthenware.

Weaving & Basketry

Tribal communities weave palm, rattan, tree barks, bamboo and various other plants gathered from the forests into works of art.

Tree of Life

According to the Kenyah/Kayan people of Sarawak, the Tree of Life in their legends and myths gives birth to the first man and women when an upper world creeper impregnates an underworld tree. The hornbill bird (Burung Kenyalang) in both traditional Iban and Kenyah belief is the celestial upper world counterpart to the underworld ‘Naga’ or dragon goddess. The hornbill is usually depicted perched at the top of the Tree of Life motif.

Tattoo

An age-old form of body art practiced by the natives of Sarawak. Traditional art form of tattooing has been an integral part of the Iban community for decades. Hand tapping style of tattooing using two sticks could be quite painful yet rewarding. For the Ibans, tattooing symbolises an individual’s experiences, and every tattoo signifies a period of time during their travels

Iban Language Guide

Words & phrases to get you by

aku – I; me (same in Malay)

au – correct; that’s right

makai – eat (Malay makan)

aram – let’s go

dini – where

hai – hi!

Selamat datai! – Welcome!

Terima kasih – Thank you! Selamat pagi! – Good morning!

Selamat lemai! – Good evening!

Nama brita nuan? – How are you?

Sapa nama nuan? – What is your name?

Brapa rega utai tu? – How much is this?

Mar amat – too expensive/difficult

Aku ka tindok – I want to go to sleep/bed

Aku enda nemu – I don’t know

Pulai dulu – I’m going back

Our Friends

Where the wild things are

Sarawak's rainforests are some of the most diverse and protected ecosystems in the world today. Rich abundant wildlife is what attracts visitors from around the world. This place is for animal lovers.

Home to the most exotic flora and fauna.

A must-see by many admirers and the curious traveller, this rare bloom is found in Gunung Gading National Park and is endemic to Borneo. The Rafflesia Tuan-mudae grows to the size of a large coffee table and has no leaves, emitting a strong odour when in bloom. The Rafflesia can be seen only when it is ready to reproduce, when the parasitic growths on the vine form a lump that develop into a structure somewhat resembling a cabbage.

Equally bizarre are these tropical pitcher plants that trap insect and some small mammals in its jug-like protuberances. The Nepenthes is popularly known as the “monkey cup”. It refers to the fact that monkeys have been observed drinking rainwater from these plants.

Rhododendron Crassifolium

The large and showy Rhododendron, a Bornean endemic, is easily recognized by its distinctive foliage. This evergreen shrub bears strongly ribbed, elliptic, dark green leaves and pink, red, orange, or apricot-coloured, open bell-shaped flowers.

Heliconia Rostrata

Heliconia rostrata is one of the most recognized and widely grown species, which is commonly known as hanging lobster claw. Heliconia grows to about 6-8 feet tall and has spectacular bright red bracts with yellow tips.

Pulau Talang & Pulau Satang National Parks

These two islands are turtle sanctuaries. Green turtles come ashore to lay and bury their eggs between May and October.

Similajau National Park

Bird watcher’s paradise! Golden sandy beaches and evergreen forest make this park home to some 185 species of birds and 24 species of mammals. Keep an eye on the sea too, for you may just spot some dolphins and turtles.

Gunung Mulu National Park – A UNESCO World Heritage Site

Gunung Mulu has it all – the world’s largest cave chamber and the world’s most extensive cave systems with razor sharp limestone pinnacles. Watch the exodus of millions of bats from the dim caverns at dusk. Leave your footprints behind in a jungle adventure. Do retire to the comforts of The Royal Mulu Resort for a jungle resort experience.

Borneo Highlands Resort

Nature lovers will find the eco-friendly Borneo Highlands Resort a haven.
Home to half of all bird species in Sarawak, it’s one of the Important Bird Areas (IBA) in Malaysia. The resort also offers a variety of attractions and recreational activities for everyone to explore.

Gunung Gading National Park

The rare Rafflesia draws tourists here for a possible glimpse of the world’s largest flower. Even if you miss the flower, you would enjoy trekking and adventure through the mountains to view beautiful cascading waterfalls and foliage.

Loagan Bunut National Park

The major attraction of Loagan Bunut is its large natural lake, which miraculously shrinks and disappears every dry season. It is another bird watcher’s paradise. Watch the Berawan tribes display their unique fishing skills called “Selambau”.

Semenggoh Wildlife Centre

An Orang Utan sanctuary, this is a perfect place to catch a glimpse of these fascinating primates. Semenggoh also boasts an arboretum, a fernery, forest nursery, seed bank, ethno herb botanical garden, tropical orchard, an orchard garden and much more.

Matang Wildlife Centre

Matang caters to researchers and nature lovers from all over the world. Waterfalls, rock pools, designated swimming areas, picnic spots and scenic nature trails make this a wonderful campsite.

Headhunter’s Trail

Sarawak’s highly acclaimed trail that traces the route of the ancient Kayan tribesmen who traversed valleys, hills and rivers.

Pinnacles

Climb Gunung Api (Fire Mountain) to the pinnacle, which reaches the sky at an amazing 2,377m. An effort that rewards you with towering 40m razor-sharp limestone pinnacles and panoramic vistas.

Golf

Enjoy this other kind of ‘green’ adventure. Play Sarawak’s golf courses by the beach, in the cities and on the hillsides. Stunning views await you and your golf buddies, so bogeys won’t hurt as much.

Kayaking

Experience a Kayaking adventure suitable for beginners and children in some of the most beautiful surroundings of Kuching. Paddle leisurely and savour the sights of unique limestone formations and towering riverine trees, while enjoying the peace and tranquility of the rainforest.

Caving and Rock Climbing

Demanding and requires reasonable mental and physical fitness, but it is great fun! Located near the town of Bau, just 40 minutes away from Kuching.

Mountain Biking

Two trails are accessible from Bau with fire roads and screaming downhills, the scenic Bratak Trail and the Kampung Opar Trail. Just 100km from Kuching, the Penrissen Highlands, near the Indonesian border, is linked by tracks that are largely unexplored.

Trekking

Treks vary in distance. Some last up to seven days and cross into Kalimantan, Indonesia. Take on the Mt. Santubong Summit Trek only if you are fit and agile.

Al-fresco Sarawak Style

Dine at open-air hawker stalls, which offer the most scrumptious food at amazingly low prices. And during cool nights, just treat yourself to dinner under a canopy of stars on a river cruise.

Fresh from the Sea

Seafood is naturally on the menu in towns by the sea or river. Savour fresh bamboo clams, jellyfish, tiger prawns and crabs that are reasonably priced all year round.

The call of the Jungle

Sarawak Laksa

A local signature dish, freshly made vermicelli submerged in a concoction of deliciously thick soup rich in ‘santan’ (coconut milk) and spices, topped with tasty chunks of seafood, chicken and sliced omelette. Sarawak’s original and best taken piping hot, this delight is easily available in most coffee shops, restaurants and hotels.

Swallow’s Nest

Swallow bird’s nest, a Chinese delicacy touted to maintain youth and beauty, is harvested from designated caves of Sarawak by special permits. Try a bowl of this jelly-like delicacy at upmarket Chinese restaurants.

Try Tuak!

Societies around the world have their own alcoholic brew, fermented from fruit or grain. For Sarawak, it is made of rice. The humble home-brewed tuak is ubiquitous during celebrations as it is the traditional drink of the Dayak community. Enjoy it in the longhouses or at local pubs.

Five-Star Dining

For the less adventurous, five-star hotels in Kuching and Miri offer both western and oriental fine dining. A number of Japaness, Korean, Thai, Mediterranean and Western cuisines dot the streets and business areas of these cities.

Kolok Mee

A popular dish amongst the locals, Kolok Mee is enjoyed any time of the day. This light yellow egg noodle consists of lard, barbecued meat sauce and black vinegar. It’s also normally complemented with barbecued meat slices and minced meat.

Umai

Traditionally, Umai is a common lunch meal for the Melanau fisherman. It consists of thin slivers of raw fresh fish, usually iced but not frozen, combined with thinly sliced onions, chilli, salt and lime juice. It is indeed a dish for the brave. You’ve been warned!

Kek Lapis Sarawak

A specialty for the Malay community especially during the festive season like Hari Raya Aidil Fitri, celebrated during the end of the fasting month of Ramadhan. These often colourful cakes are made with a lot of eggs, sometimes even up to 30 eggs for one loaf!

Pick your home away from home. Accommodation in Sarawak varies from hotels to resorts to bed & breakfast depending on your specific preference.

Hotels / Boutique Hotels

Most luxurious hotels are located in commercial areas. However, some budget hotels are also available around the area. Guests may unwind and enjoy the comforts of modern facilities such as wireless Internet connection.

Beach & Jungle Resorts

Surround yourself with lush tropical rainforest or relax in a neighboring sea. Spa resorts are accessible if pampering is what you have in mind.

Bed & Breakfast

Old colonial-styled houses or shops are transformed into guest houses or inns at very affordable prices.

Homestays

Homestays have become a staple among tourists who want to experience living the traditional Sarawakian way.

TRAVEL TIPS

Climate

Usually very hot and humid. Temperatures here vary between 23°C to 32°C. Mosquito repellents are advisable.

Language

Iban is generally used in Sarawak, however, English is widely understood.

Religion

Religions such as Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism are practiced.

Timezone

GMT + 8

Currency

The local currency is Ringgit Malaysia (RM). Credit cards are widely accepted in urban areas. Foreign currency and traveller’s checks can be converted to Malaysian Ringgit at banks or at authorized money changers throughout the country.

Clothing

Light, cool, and casual clothing is suggested. For more formal occasions, men should wear jackets, ties, or long-sleeved batik shirts whereas women should wear dresses.

Business Hours

Department stores and supermarkets usually are open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. offices generally operate from 9am to 5pm (Monday-Friday) and 9am to 1pm (Saturday) while government office hours are usually from 8.30am to 5.30pm.